Dealing With Unemployment in God's Way

by Wendy Bailey

Performing Your Christian Duty

Losing a job or being unable to procure new employment can be an incredibly stressful time for anyone, but especially for the practicing Christian, who, living in Christ, has a charge to remain fruitful and productive at all times in the name of the Lord.

The first of many relevant pieces of Good News to receive comes from Hebrews 4:15 -

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."

This means that Jesus also suffered through times of slow "employment." However, He did not waste these moments, rather using them to recharge and pray for new direction so that when life sped up again, He would be immediately ready to take the reins and perform to the best of His ability. You should do the same during periods of unemployment. Who says that you need someone else to tell you to remain productive? While searching for a job, you can use the time to volunteer and perform duties that you normally would not have time for.

Unemployment When Facing Debt

Unemployment is especially hard when you are under the stressful duress of debt, such as a credit card bankruptcy or in the middle of paying off a private student loan. The good Christian always wishes to pay off his debtors; however, the Good News here comes from Matthew 6:24 -

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."

Worrying about is a form of "serving money." You must trust that God will give you the resources to see through your times of trial, becase as stated in 1 Corinthians 10:13 -

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

Temptation in this case is the temptation to worry about paying debts, worrying about what people will think of you if you miss a payment, and otherwise fretting over money that you owe instead of performing your Christian duty in this case, which as detailed by Philippians 4:6, is simply to:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. "

The Godly Solution to Unemployment

That's right; your duty is simply to pray and trust God as you actively seek new employment. Your new opportunity is right around the corner, and you may not be able to see the window that God opens for you if you are staring at the locked door that God allowed to close in front of you to test your faith in Him.

Do not be swayed by these tests; they are meant to encourage and strengthen your spirit. And do not be swayed by the temptations of the devil, worry and obsession, which are meant to deter your mental energy away from the opportunities that God will lead you to in the future.

After all, as Hebrews 11:6 states -

"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."